Curious about what exotic pets are legal in Florida? Then read on! Please note that this is not an all inclusive list, but only includes animals we personally educate about here at Exotic Pet Wonderland.
Questions about an animal not on this page? Send us an email and we will find out!
Relevant Exotic Pet Laws for Florida
Here are the actual laws exotic pet laws for the state of Florida. Please note that exotic pet laws are often unclear, and contacting your state’s game department is always the best bet to clarify.
https://myfwc.com/license/captive-wildlife/personal-pet
Are Pet Foxes Legal In Florida?
Yes. Multiple species of pet fox are legal in Florida. For more information on individual species, please read below.
Are Arctic Foxes Legal In Florida?
It is legal to keep an arctic fox as a pet in Florida with a Class III Personal Pet No-Cost Permit when the animal is purchased from a USDA permitted breeder.
You can apply for the permit here, and it must be renewed every two years. You may NOT bring your pet arctic fox out in public with this license. More information about the Class III permit can be found here.
It is federally illegal to sell arctic foxes without a permit from the USDA and is considered wildlife trafficking.
Are Red Foxes Legal In Florida?
It is legal to keep a red fox as a pet in Florida with a Class III Personal Pet No-Cost Permit when the animal is purchased from a USDA permitted breeder.
You can apply for the permit here, and it must be renewed every two years. You may NOT bring your pet red fox out in public with this license. More information about the Class III permit can be found here.
Taking red foxes from the wild is illegal in Florida. It is federally illegal to sell red foxes without a permit from the USDA and is considered wildlife trafficking.
Are Fennec Foxes Legal In Florida?
It is legal to keep a fennec fox as a pet in Florida with a Class III Personal Pet No-Cost Permit when the animal is purchased from a USDA permitted breeder.
You can apply for the permit here, and it must be renewed every two years. You may NOT bring your pet fennec fox out in public with this license. More information about the Class III permit can be found here.
It is federally illegal to sell fennec foxes without a permit from the USDA and is considered wildlife trafficking.
Are Pale Foxes Legal In Florida?
It is legal to keep a pale fox as a pet in Florida with a Class III Personal Pet No-Cost Permit when the animal is purchased from a USDA permitted breeder.
You can apply for the permit here, and it must be renewed every two years. You may NOT bring your pet pale fox out in public with this license. More information about the Class III permit can be found here.
It is federally illegal to sell pale foxes without a permit from the USDA and is considered wildlife trafficking.
Are Gray Foxes Legal In Florida?
It is legal to keep a gray fox as a pet in Florida with a Class III Personal Pet No-Cost Permit when the animal is purchased from a USDA permitted breeder.
You can apply for the permit here, and it must be renewed every two years. You may NOT bring your pet gray fox out in public with this license. More information about the Class III permit can be found here.
Taking gray foxes from the wild is illegal in Florida. It is federally illegal to sell gray foxes without a permit from the USDA and is considered wildlife trafficking.
Are Tanuki's/Raccoon Dogs Legal In Florida?
No, pet raccoon dogs/tanukis are not legal in Florida, or an any other state. Read more information on why raccoon dogs are illegal everywhere here.
Are Mink Legal in Florida?
It is legal to keep a mink as a pet in Florida with a Class III Personal Pet No-Cost Permit when the animal is purchased from a USDA permitted breeder.
You can apply for the permit here, and it must be renewed every two years. You may NOT bring your pet mink out in public with this license. More information about the Class III permit can be found here.
Taking mink from the wild is illegal in Florida. It is federally illegal to sell mink without a permit from the USDA and is considered wildlife trafficking.
Are Raccoons Legal In Florida?
It is legal to keep a raccoon as a pet in Florida with a Class III Personal Pet No-Cost Permit when the animal is purchased from a USDA permitted breeder.
You can apply for the permit here, and it must be renewed every two years. You may NOT bring your pet raccoon out in public with this license. More information about the Class III permit can be found here.
Taking raccoons from the wild is illegal in Florida. It is federally illegal to sell raccoons without a permit from the USDA and is considered wildlife trafficking.
Are Coyotes Legal In Florida?
Yes, pet coyotes are legal in Florida. You can keep a coyote as a pet in Florida as long as you have a permit.
If you want a pet Coyote in Florida, you must have a Permit to Possess Class II Wildlife for Personal Use. This permit costs $140 and must be renewed annually. In order to obtain this permit, you must also have 1,000 hours of logged experience working with coyotes and pass a facility/caging inspection.
For more information on the permits required to keep a pet coyote in Florida, visit this page.
Please remember, keeping coyotes from the wild is illegal in Florida.
Are Coydogs Legal In Florida?
Yes, pet coydogs are legal in Florida, however your coydog may require a permit.
Florida’s FWC website states that “Hybrids resulting from the cross between wildlife and domestic animals which are substantially similar in size, characteristics, and behavior so as to be indistinguishable from the wild animal shall be regulated as wildlife at the higher and more restricted class of the wild parent.”
Permits for Coydogs in Florida are required on a case by case basis and it is recommended you reach out to the FWC at (850) 488-6253 before obtaining a pet coydog.
Are Lynx Legal in Florida?
Yes, pet lynx are legal in Florida. You can keep a lynx as a pet in Florida as long as you have a permit.
If you want a pet lynx in Florida, you must have a Permit to Possess Class II Wildlife for Personal Use. This permit costs $140 and must be renewed annually. In order to obtain this permit, you must also have 1,000 hours of logged experience working with lynxes and pass a facility/caging inspection.
For more information on the permits required to keep a pet lynx in Florida, visit this page.
Are Bobcats Legal In Florida?
Yes, pet bobcats are legal in Florida. You can keep a bobcat as a pet in Florida as long as you have a permit.
If you want a pet bobcat in Florida, you must have a Permit to Possess Class II Wildlife for Personal Use. This permit costs $140 and must be renewed annually. In order to obtain this permit, you must also have 1,000 hours of logged experience working with coyotes and pass a facility/caging inspection.
For more information on the permits required to keep a pet bobcat in Florida, visit this page.
Please remember, keeping bobcats from the wild is illegal in Florida.
Are Wolf Dogs Legal In Florida?
Yes, pet wolf dogs are legal in Florida, however your wolf dog may require a permit.
Florida’s FWC website states that “Hybrids resulting from the cross between wildlife and domestic animals which are substantially similar in size, characteristics, and behavior so as to be indistinguishable from the wild animal shall be regulated as wildlife at the higher and more restricted class of the wild parent.”
Permits for wolf dogs in Florida are required on a case by case basis and it is recommended you reach out to the FWC at (850) 488-6253 before obtaining a pet wolf dog.
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Are Servals Legal In Florida?
Yes, pet servals are legal in Florida. You can keep a serval as a pet in Florida as long as you have a permit.
If you want a pet serval in Florida, you must have a Permit to Possess Class II Wildlife for Personal Use. This permit costs $140 and must be renewed annually. In order to obtain this permit, you must also have 1,000 hours of logged experience working with servals and pass a facility/caging inspection.
For more information on the permits required to keep a pet serval in Florida, visit this page.
Are Savannah Cats Legal In Florida?
Yes, pet Savannah cats are legal in Florida. You do not need a permit to keep a keep a Savannah cat as a pet in Florida.
Are Asian Leopard Cats Legal in Florida?
Yes, pet Asian leopard cats are legal in Florida. You can keep an Asian leopard cat as a pet in Florida as long as you have a permit.
If you want a pet Asian leopard cat in Florida, you must have a Permit to Possess Class II Wildlife for Personal Use. This permit costs $140 and must be renewed annually. In order to obtain this permit, you must also have 1,000 hours of logged experience working with Asian leopard cats and pass a facility/caging inspection.
For more information on the permits required to keep a pet Asian leopard cat in Florida, visit this page.
Are Bengal Cats Legal In Florida?
Yes, pet Bengal cats are legal in Florida . You do not need a permit to keep a keep a Bengal cat as a pet in Florida.
Are Skunks Legal In Florida?
Yes, it is legal to keep a skunk as a pet in Florida with a Class III Personal Pet No-Cost Permit when the animal is purchased from a USDA permitted breeder.
You can apply for the permit here, and it must be renewed every two years. You may NOT bring your pet skunk out in public with this license. More information about the Class III permit can be found here.
Taking skunk from the wild is illegal in Florida. It is federally illegal to sell skunks without a permit from the USDA and is considered wildlife trafficking.
Are Opossums Legal In Florida?
It is legal to keep an opossums as a pet in Florida with a Class III Personal Pet No-Cost Permit when the animal is purchased from a USDA permitted breeder.
You can apply for the permit here, and it must be renewed every two years. You may NOT bring your pet opossum out in public with this license. More information about the Class III permit can be found here.
Taking an opossum from the wild is illegal in Florida. It is federally illegal to sell opossums without a permit from the USDA and is considered wildlife trafficking.
Are Bats Legal In Florida?
It is legal to keep some species of bats as pets in Florida with a Class III Personal Pet No-Cost Permit when the animal is purchased from a USDA permitted breeder.
You can apply for the permit here, and it must be renewed every two years. You may NOT bring your pet bat out in public with this license. More information about the Class III permit can be found here.
You may not own any species of native bat or any species of flying fox as a pet in Florida.
Taking a bat from the wild is illegal in Florida. It is federally illegal to sell bats without a permit from the USDA and is considered wildlife trafficking.
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